Page 19 of Secret Southern Promises

Dolly

This wasn’t what I had expected when I walked into the Bagel Bin to fix my bagel craving. I came in ready for a quiet moment with a savory bagel—sausage, egg, and cheese, just like I always ordered when I was stressed. Instead, I ended up sitting across from Boone West, the man I hadn’t seen in fifteen years, the man I’d spent so long trying to forget and failing at it every damn time.

I glanced down at my bagel. I’d told him the partial truth. I hadn’t been able to leave Magnolia Grove because of the store—because of my responsibilities. But there was the part he didn’t know about.

Nash.

If Boone had known about Nash, he never would’ve left. He would’ve stayed, would’ve forgotten all about his dreams of being a rodeo star, and he would’ve settled here in MagnoliaGrove. And while a part of me wanted to imagine what that life might’ve been like, another part of me knew it would’ve crushed him. Boone was meant for more than small-town life. He was meant to be a world champion, to live out his dreams under bright stadium lights, not in the shadow of my family’s grocery store.

I felt guilt every day that Boone didn’t know about Nash, but look at the life he’d been able to live. He’d become everything I knew he could be. He never would’ve been able to do that if he’d stayed.

Boone’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Can we start over?” he asked, his eyes searching mine, hopeful in a way that made my heart ache.

I glanced up at him, and for a moment, my heart leaped at the idea of being with Boone again, but I knew that couldn’t happen. We couldn’t go back to what we were. We had been young, dumb, and in love. Life had moved on. We’d lived so much since then.

“Uh, friends?” I offered, though the word felt awkward on my tongue. It felt like a lie, even as I said it.

“That’sreallystarting over,” he chuckled, though the humor didn’t quite reach his eyes.

I wrinkled my nose. “I think that’s all I can offer right now.”

“Is this because of your kid?” he asked, catching me completely off guard.

My heart dropped to my feet, my pulse racing. He knew I had a kid? How?

But, of course, I knew how. Magnolia Grove was small, and everyone was in everyone’s business. It wasn’t like I could’ve kept Nash a secret forever.

“Oh, uh, well, no,” I stammered, feeling flustered. “I just don’t have the... time.” It was a pathetic excuse, and I knew it. “You know, with the store and everything.” I fought the urge toroll my eyes at myself. What everything? The store was all I had besides Nash. There wasn’t any other ‘everything’ to fill up my days.

Boone nodded, though I could see in his eyes that he wasn’t satisfied with my answer. “I guess I can deal with being friends,” he said, his voice low, like he didn’t quite believe it. “Do friends help each other learn how to cook?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at me. “I’ve got some chicken breasts in my fridge but no damn clue what to do with them. Maybe you and your kid could come over for dinner this week sometime.”

“Nash,” I said quickly. “His name’s Nash.” I paused, not sure why I was hesitating. “And I’ll have to check our schedules. I’ve got help at the store, but it always feels like I’m working or Nash has something going on at school.” I glanced up at the clock on the wall, grateful for the excuse. “Like right now, actually—I’ve got to get to the store before the produce truck shows up.”

I wrapped up my bagel in its waxy paper and stood, the urge to flee growing stronger with every second. “How about I let you know when works?” I offered, not entirely sure I’d follow through.

Boone nodded slowly, his eyes still fixed on me. “What’s your phone number?” he asked as he pulled out his phone.

I hesitated, my heart skipping a beat. My number hadn’t changed since high school, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about him knowing that.

“Uh, it’s the same,” I admitted, trying to sound casual.

Boone looked up from his phone, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Mine didn’t change either.”

It felt like a sign. Despite everything that had happened, despite the years and the distance and the secrets between us, some things hadn’t changed. It was like a thread that had never quite snapped, no matter how far we’d pulled from each other.

“Um, then I guess I’ll let you know when works for me,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if I was ready for what that might mean. Nash wasn’t going to come with me to Boone’s. Hell, I wasn’t even sure ifIwas going to go.

Boone gave me a slow nod, his eyes lingering on mine and the space between us thick with things unsaid. “I’ll be waiting,” he said, his voice dipped low as the words carried more weight than they should’ve. “Don’t keep me waiting too long, Dolly.”

I swallowed hard and the tension between us palpable. There was something in his voice that made me want to stay, to erase the years of distance and jump right back into what we’d once had. But I knew better. It wouldn’t be that easy.

“I’ll... I’ll let you know,” I managed to say, feeling the air around me grow heavy with the finality of our conversation.

“Later, Dolly,” he said, his voice soft, almost tender.

“Goodbye, Boone,” I whispered, forcing myself to turn away and walk out of the Bagel Bin before I said or did something I couldn’t take back.

As I stepped out into the crisp fall air, I could still feel his eyes on me, the pull between us as strong as ever. But I kept walking, forcing myself to move forward down the street and toward my car.

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